a close approximation of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a close approximation of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is very similar to something else, but not exactly the same. For example: "This model provides a close approximation of the real-world phenomenon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Error concealment technique aims at obtaining a close approximation of the original signal or making the output of decoder closely accepted by human eyes [36].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Revolving credit, a close approximation of credit card debt, totaled $939.6 billion in March.

The New York Times

Multiplying the tax by 909.1 will give a close approximation of the price.

The New York Times

The handsome built-in clothes closet was sponge-painted a close approximation of Aegean blue.

The New York Times - Travel

Her chapters on Reed's youth vividly portray him as a close approximation of the monster liberals imagine.

The New York Times - Books

Or have they been refined to create a close approximation of gender-blind meritocracy, so that the fault lies elsewhere?

Harvard University

The result is a close approximation of a street-style skating environment, with realistic features like granite and railings.

The New York Times - Sports

This version is a close approximation of my favorite tuna sandwich, served at the Liggett's drugstore counter in Waterbury, Conn., when I was a young girl.

The New York Times - Food

Fortunately a violin is not necessarily a close approximation of the human voice but it does have a lot of the same qualities.

The Guardian - Music

Streep, who did a close approximation of Nora Ephron's voice and manner in "Heartburn," does not try to impersonate Susan Orlean.

The New Yorker

Home life, previously my haven from the unkind world outside, has slowly been transformed over recent years into a close approximation of High School Hell.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the level of formality matches the audience. While generally acceptable, more precise language may be preferred in technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a close approximation of" when describing something that is nearly identical. Choose a more accurate term like "virtually identical" or "indistinguishable" to prevent misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close approximation of" functions as a modifier, typically preceding a noun or noun phrase. It indicates that something is similar or nearly equivalent to something else, but not perfectly identical. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

53%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a close approximation of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate similarity without claiming exactness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across various domains, particularly in science and news media. While interchangeable with options like "akin to" or "much like", context should guide your choice. Avoid overstating similarity; use more precise language when describing near-identical cases. This expression is useful for clearly and accurately portraying estimations or representations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much like

Directly states that something shares many characteristics with something else.

akin to

A more concise way of saying similar to, often used in formal contexts.

a near likeness to

Emphasizes visual similarity, implying something resembles the original closely in appearance.

comparable to

Suggests that two things can be compared and found to have many similarities.

a rough equivalent to

Suggests a similar value or effect, but acknowledges inexactness or estimation.

on par with

Indicates equality or similarity in quality or status.

a reasonable facsimile of

Implies an imitation or copy that is acceptably similar to the original.

a fair representation of

Suggests that something accurately reflects or depicts the original.

virtually identical to

Indicates an extremely high degree of similarity, almost to the point of being indistinguishable.

in the neighborhood of

Used to indicate a value or quantity that is not exact, but is close to a certain number.

FAQs

How can I use "a close approximation of" in a sentence?

You can use "a close approximation of" to indicate that something is similar, but not exactly the same, as something else. For example, "The model provides "a close approximation of" the real-world data."

What are some alternatives to "a close approximation of"?

Some alternatives include "a near likeness to", "akin to", or "much like", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a close approximation of" instead of "identical to"?

Use "a close approximation of" when something is similar but not perfectly the same as the original. If something is exactly the same, "identical to" is more appropriate.

Is "a good approximation of" interchangeable with "a close approximation of"?

While similar, "a good approximation of" suggests that the likeness is adequate or satisfactory, whereas "a close approximation of" emphasizes the degree of similarity or nearness to the original. The best choice depends on the context and the desired emphasis.